TEAM-Stealth Launches “Sticks-2-Schools” Lacrosse Program in Five Bay Area Schools to Promote Youth Physical Fitness TEAM Construction and Development Scores $6,000 in Sponsorships from Local Businesses, San Jose Stealth Selects First Five Bay Area Schools to Integrate Lacrosse into P.E. Curriculum San Jose, CA — October 24, 2005 — TEAM Construction and Development, a member of the TEAMWRKX family of companies and a full-service general contractor offering construction, building management and technology services; and the San Jose Stealth, a National Lacrosse League team based in San Jose; have partnered as “TEAM-Stealth” to launch Sticks-2-Schools, a new program that encourages children to become active. Through sponsorships from local businesses and individuals, Sticks-2-Schools will provide lacrosse sticks, balls and instruction to the physical education (P.E.) departments or after-school programs at Bay Area schools.
“There are a lot of kids who come home from school and plop down on the couch and watch TV until dinnertime,” said TEAM Construction and Development CEO Eric Venzon. “Their excuse for not playing a sport is that they ‘can’t play well enough’ or ‘it’s too hard to learn,’ or they ‘look nerdy’ when they try. Those are the objections we’re trying to overcome. We want to inspire children who don’t consider themselves athletes to try lacrosse.”
San Jose Stealth General Manager Johnny Mouradian agrees. “Lacrosse was America’s first team sport and now ‘Inter-Lacrosse’ is the fastest-growing youth team sport. Leading researchers in athletics and fitness report that it is unparalleled in helping children develop skill, speed, intelligence, fitness and dexterity. It’s simple to learn, uses a flexible, plastic stick and soft, low-bounce ball and can be played by co-ed teams of all ages, both indoors or out. Plus, it’s easy for schools to integrate into even the most budget-strapped physical education program,” he said.
Increasing the level of physical activity in schools is an important step towards combating childhood obesity, which has reached epidemic proportions in California. According to a recent study by the California Center for Public Health Advocacy, childhood obesity rose 6.2 percent statewide from 2001 to 2004. While 28 percent of California’s fifth, seventh- and ninth-graders are overweight, in southeast San Jose that figure spikes to 39 percent. The California Department of Health Services reports that obesity-related illnesses such as diabetes are affecting children at a rapidly increasing rate and at an earlier age. Team-Stealth’s Sticks-2-Schools is designed to help combat this epidemic by encouraging children to stay active.
Even before its official launch this month, TEAM-Stealth received Stick-2-Schools sponsorships of $1,000 each from Monster Cable (Brisbane, Calif.), Winthrop Insurance Plan (San Mateo, Calif.), Eastmont Properties (Oakland, Calif.) and San Jose, Calif.–based Petrinovich, Pugh & Co., Customized Performance and Triplett Financial Services. These sponsorships will enable TEAM-Stealth to provide lacrosse sticks, balls and instructional materials to the first five Bay Area schools on the waiting list, including Forest Hill Elementary in Campbell, Hillview Junior High School in Pittsburg, Mission San Jose High School in Fremont, Paden Elementary School in Alameda, Calif. and Westmoor High School in Daly City.
“Team Construction and Development is proud to be an integral part of Sticks-2-Schools. Lacrosse is the only youth-participant sport that is not oversubscribed in the Bay Area. Through the support of our generous sponsors, we plan to add more schools to the program every year so that eventually every Bay Area child has the opportunity to get fit and stay healthy,” said Venzon.
Currently, there are 55 schools and nearly 40,000 students in the San Jose/San Francisco Bay Area interested in integrated lacrosse into their physical education programs through TEAM-Stealth’s Sticks-2-Schools. This averages to approximately 720 students per sponsored school who will be exposed to the benefits of increased physical activity. The Alameda County School District will be the first to implement a “Lacrosse Teacher Training Day” for all physical education teachers during its staff development day on October 31, 2005. A Sticks-2-Schools lacrosse program at the remaining four schools is scheduled to be implemented in the next few months.
The Sticks-2-Schools Program offers businesses and individuals four levels of sponsorship to help fund school-based lacrosse programs. For a contribution of $1,000, “Diamond Breakaway Sponsors” receive two premium lower bowl 2005-2006 season tickets to see the San Jose Stealth play at HP Pavilion and are recognized as full sponsors of a Sticks-2-Schools school-based lacrosse program. “Gold Overtime Sponsors” (a $750 contribution) also receive two premium lower bowl season tickets, while “Silver Face-Off Sponsors” (a $500 contribution) receive two best-available lower bowl season tickets. Contributions from Gold and Silver sponsors are combined to bring the Sticks-2-Schools lacrosse program to the next school on the waiting list. Although Bronze Sponsors ($250 contributors) do not receive Stealth season tickets, 100 percent of their contribution is used to bring the Sticks-2-Schools lacrosse program to a local school. Diamond, Gold and Silver sponsors will have their names announced at Stealth home games and be recognized on the Sticks-2-Schools webpage at www.sticks2schools.com. Potential sponsors can contact TEAM-Stealth at 408-287-2700.
About The San Jose Stealth The San Jose Stealth, a member of the National Lacrosse League (NLL), will host the Colorado Mammoth on January 14, 2006 for their home opener at HP Pavilion in San Jose. During the 2006 Season, the Stealth will play a 16-game schedule (eight home and eight away) against members of the six-team Western Division (Colorado, Portland, Arizona, Calgary and Edmonton), and against four Eastern Division teams (Philadelphia, Rochester, Buffalo and Minnesota). The NLL’s regular season concludes on April 15th with the Champion’s Cup Playoffs to follow. More information on the San Jose Stealth can be found at www.sjstealth.com or by calling 408-999-5708.
About The San Jose Stealth
The San Jose Stealth, a member of the National Lacrosse League (NLL), will host the Colorado Mammoth on January 14, 2006 for their home opener at HP Pavilion in San Jose. During the 2006 Season, the Stealth will play a 16-game schedule (eight home and eight away) against members of the six-team Western Division (Colorado, Portland, Arizona, Calgary and Edmonton), and against four Eastern Division teams (Philadelphia, Rochester, Buffalo and Minnesota). The NLL’s regular season concludes on April 15th with the Champion’s Cup Playoffs to follow. More information on the San Jose Stealth can be found at www.sjstealth.com or by calling 408-999-5708.About TEAM Construction
TEAM Construction and Development, Inc. is a full-service general contractor offering construction, building management and technology services. A member of the TEAMWRKX family of companies, TEAM is unique in the construction industry, as it is focused on personal commitment, mutual support and honest communication among TEAM members, vendors and customers. More information about TEAM Construction can be found at www.team-construction.com or by calling 408-287-2700.Close